Floating buoyant object

ABSTRACT

A floating buoyant object such as a duck decoy having an anchor and an attaching anchor line. Resilient line-holding clip means are provided whereby the length of the anchor line may be adjusted. Means are provided on the object for the storage of reserve anchor line.

United States Patent 1191 [111 3,733,733

Ruter [4 1 May 22, 1973 [54] FLOATING BUOYANT OBJECT 2,911,754 11 1959 Mills ..43/43.ll [761 m :21:22 21:22; "are-:51:

Mich: 5 5 5 3,149,433 9 1964 Hagen ..43 3

[22] Filed: Mar. 18, 1971 Primary ExaminerRobert W1 Michell Assistant ExaminerJohn F. Pitrelli [21] Appl 125542 Attorney-Burd, Braddock & Bartz [52] US. Cl ..43/3, 43/43.l1 [57] ABSTRACT A floating buoyant object such as a duck decoy having an anchor and an attaching anchor line. Resilient line- 1 holding clip means are provided whereby the length of [56] References Clted the anchor line may be adjusted. Means are provided UNITED STATES PATENTS on the object for the storage of reserve anchor line.

390,587 10/1888 Gammon ..43/3 8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures llnllllllh FLOATING BUOYANT OBJECT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Floating buoyant objects, such as duck decoys or navigational buoys, in order to maintain a relatively stationary position in the water require an anchor which rests at thebottom of the water body. An anchor line connects the floating object to the anchor. It is desirable to have means whereby the length of the anchor line may be adjusted, as when the water level changes or the floating object is placed in a different position in the water. It is also desirable to have provisions for the storage of excess length of anchor line. For example see US. Pat. Nos. 3,089,156 and l,429,558.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION anchor line according to the water depth.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a duck decoy of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is anenlarged view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom view of the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front view of a third embodiment of the invention; I

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary bottom view of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view of a fifth embodiment of the invention; 1

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary bottom view of the fifth embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE' PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. There is provided a buoyant object shown to be a duckdecoy 10 floating on the surface of a body of water 11. The decoy 10 may be representative of any species of water fowl and is a decoy of the type having a narrow longitudinal keel 12 integrally attached to the bottom surface of the decoy. A weight 14 is attached to the bottom of keel 12. Together the weight 14 and the keel 12 lend stability to decoy 10 while floating in the water. The buoyant object could be, rather than a duck decoy, a navigational buoy or a water marker or similar floating object having a keel or attachment of the type described.

Adjacent the bottom surface of the decoy 10, the keel 12 is provided at opposite ends with recesses 16 and 17. The recesses 16 and 17 accommodate windings of an anchor line 19, wound longitudinally about the keel12, and prevent slippage of the line 19 from the keel 12. The anchor line 19 is attached at one end by any suitable conventional means to the decoy 10, and at the other end to an anchor 20. The anchor line 19 is, for example, nylon cord or other suitable anchor line.

A line holding clip, shown generally at 22, is attached to the front edge of the keel 12. The clip 22 has integral first leg 23 and second leg 24 longitudinally disposed on either side of the keel l2 and joined around the front edge of the keel l2. Clip 22 is made of resilient material, as spring steel or plastic.

Clip 22 is fastened to the keel 12 by means of a bolt chor line 19 passing through it. The leg 23 contacts the side of the keel 12 at a normally closed biasing contact portion 29 which, when biased away from the keel 12, provides a throat for passage of the anchor line to and from the eye 28. An outwardly directed lip 30 extends from he contact portion 29. The lip 30 and the proximate surface of the keel 12 diverge to form a mouth 31 for guiding the anchor line to the contact portion 29.

The second leg 24 is symmetrical to the first leg 23, having a U-shaped portion 37, forming an eye 33. The second leg 24 similarly has a normally closed biasing contact portion 36 and a lip 34 extending outward therefrom. The lip 34 and the proximate surface of the keel l2 diverge to form a mouth 35 for guiding the anchor line to the contact portion 36.

In use, the anchor line is stored wound around the keel 12 of the decoy 10. The line 12 is accommodated in the recesses 16 and 17 and therefore does not slip off the keel. When the decoy is not in use, the entire length of anchor line 19 is stored wound around the keel 12. The end portion of the line 19 attached to the anchor 20 passes through the eye 28 of the clip 22 and depends downwardly therefrom. The biasing contact portion 29 in the normally closed position prohibits disengagement of the line 19 from the clip 22, thus preventing the unwinding of the line 19 from the keel 12. When the decoy is to be used, the line 19 is disengaged from the clip 22 against the bias of the contact portion 29 through the mouth 31. A preselected length of the line 19 is unwound from the keel 12 according to the depth of the water in which the decoy is to be placed. The line is then reinserted in the clip 22 through the mouth 31 against the bias of the lip 30 into the eye 28.

If the line 19 is wound around the keel 12 in the opposite direction, then the leg 24, rather than the leg 23, is employed in exactly the same manner as the leg 23.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.'Corresponding numbers are used in reference to like members of the embodiment of FIGS. 1

, and 2.

There is provided a clip, indicated generally at 40, attached near the rearward end of the keel 12. Clip 40 is made of resilient material and has a loop 41. A bolt 42 passes through the loop4l and the keel 12, thereby holding clip 40 securely in place. A nut 44 is threaded on bolt 42, securing it in position. A finger 39 extends from loop 41 to the rear edge of the keel and has a flange 43 which bends around the end of the keel.

A first leg 45 extends from loop 41 of clip 40 longitudinally along and outward from the keel 12. The clip 40 has a first U-shaped portion 46 which joins the first leg 45 and a second leg 48, thereby providing a first eye 49. The second leg 48 extends from he first U-shaped portion 46 toward the end of the keel 12 and generally parallel to the keel 12, to a second U-shaped portion 50.

The second U-shaped portion 50 curves outwardlyfrom the leg 48 and faces the first U-shaped portion 46. A second eye 53 is provided by the second U-shaped portion 50. A third leg 52 extends from the second U- shaped portion 50 inwardly toward the first leg 45 to a normally closed biasing contact portion 54 in biasing contact with the first leg 45. The contact portion 54 when biased away from the first leg 45 provides a throat for the passage of an anchor line to either the first eye 49 or the second eye 53. The third leg 52 and y the first leg 45 diverge from the contact portion 54 forming a first mouth 56. A lip 57 extends outward from the contact portion 54 in diverging relationship to the first leg 45 thus forming a second mouth 58, opposite facing from the first mouth 56.

In the use of the clip 40, an anchor line 19 is inserted in the clip 40 either through the first mouth 56 or the second mouth 58. If the anchor line 19 is wound on the keel 12 so as to approach the clip 40 from the forward end of the keel 12, it is most convenient to insert the line 19 through the first mouth 56 against the bias of the contact portion 54. The line 19 will then rest in the first eye 49 as shown in FIG. 3. If the anchor line is wound in the opposite direction around the keel 12, it is most convenient to insert the line 19 through the second mouth 58 against the bias of the first leg 45 and the lip 57. The anchor line 19 will rest in the second eye 53, as shown in phantom in FIG. 3.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. and 6. There is provided a resilient clip, indicated generally at 61, attached near the forward end of the keel 12. Clip 61 has a loop 62. A bolt 63 passes through the loop 62 and the keel 12, thereby holding clip 61 securely in place. A nut 64 is threaded on a bolt 63 securing it in position.

A first leg 66 extends from the loop 62 to the edge of the keel and bends around the edge of the keel. The clip 61 has a U-shaped portion 67 which joins the first leg 66 and a second leg 69, providing an eye 70. The second leg 69 extends back over the edge of the keel 12, contacting the edge of the keel 12 at a normally closed biasing contact portion 68. The contact portion 68 when biased away from the edge of the keel 12 provides a throat for passage of an anchor line to and from he eye 70. A lip 71 extends from the contact portion 68 in diverging relationship to the edge of the keel 12, thus forming a mouth 72 for guiding the anchor line to the contact portion 68.

In the use of the embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 5 and 6, a portion of the anchor line 19 is guided by the mouth 72 to the biasing contact portion 68. A slight bias from the anchor line causes the contact portion 68 to move away from the edge of the keel 12, thereby providing a throat for the entrance of the line portion to the eye 70 of clip 61. The line portion then rests in eye 70, prevented from disengagement by the normally closed contact portion 68.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The keel 73 of the embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 7 and 8 has a relatively flat bottom surface. An end portion 74 of the keel 73 is laterally narrowed relative to the remainder of the keel. The keel 73 has shoulders 75 and 76 on either side of the narrowed end portion 74. A clip, indicated generally at 78, is fastened to the end portion 74 and has a loop 79. A bolt 83 passes through the loop 79 and the end portion 74 of the keel, thereby securing the clip 78 in position. A nut 82 is threaded to the bolt 83. The clip 78 has a first leg 80 longitudinally disposed immediately adjacent the bottom surface of the keel 73. An end 81 of the leg 80 curves around the shoulder 76 and extends to the loop 79. A U-shaped portion 84 curves downwardly from the opposite end of leg 80 to a second leg 85, thus forming an eye 86. The second leg 85 extends upwardly from the bottom of U-shaped portion 84 to the first leg 80. The second leg 85 makes biasing contact with the first leg 80 at a normally closed biasing contact portion 88. The contact portion 88 when biased open provides a throat for passage of an anchor line to and from the eye 86. The lip 87 of the second leg 85 curves outwardly from the contact portion 88. The lip 87 diverges from first leg 80 to form a mouth 90 for receipt of an anchor line.

Windings of an anchor line 91 pass through the eye 86 of the clip 78 at one end of the keel 73. The extending end of anchor line 91 is connected to an anchor (not shown). At the opposite end of the keel 73, the windings of anchor line are accommodated by a hook or other suitable member (not shown). For example, a second clip similar to the clip 78 could be disposed at the opposite end of the keel 73 to accept windings of the anchor line 91. When the decoy is not in use, the line 91 is stored in windings about the clip 78 and the member at the opposite end of the keel 73. When the decoy is in use, a preselected length of anchor line is unwound according to the water depth, and the remainder is left stored in reserve.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The keel 73 of this embodiment is also of the type having a generally flat bottom surface and a laterally narrowed end portion 74. The keel 73 has shoulders 75 and 76 on either side of the narrowed end portion 74. There is provided a clip, indicated generally at 94, attached to end portion 74, having a loop 95. A bolt 96 passes through the end portion 76 and the loop 95, securing the clip 94 in position. A nut 97 is threaded on the bolt 96 to secure it in position.

A first leg 99, extending from the loop 96, bends around the shoulder 75 of the keel 73. The first leg 99 extends longitudinally along the keel 73 and outward from it to a U-shaped portion 101. The U-shaped portion 101 curves laterally across relative to the bottom surface of the keel 73, providing an eye 102. A second leg 103 extends from the U-shaped portion 101 back to the shoulder 76 of the keel 73. The second leg 103 makes biasing contact with the edge of the shoulder 76 at a normally closed biasing contact portion 104. The contact portion 104 when biased open provides a throat for passage of an anchor line to and from the eye 102. A lip 105 extends from the contact portion 104 outward from the shoulder 76. The lip 105 diverges from the shoulder 76 of the keel 73 to form a mouth 106 for the receipt of an anchor line 91.

Windings of an anchor line 91 pass through the eye 102 of the clip 94 at one end of the keel 73. At the opposite end of the keel 73 the windings of anchor line 91 areaccommodated by hook or other suitable member (not shown); For example, a second clip similar to the clip 94 could be disposed at the opposite end of the keel 73 to accept windings of the line 91. When the decoy is not in use, the line 91 is stored in windings about the clip 94 and the member at the opposite end of the keel 73. When in use, a preselected length of anchor line 91 is unwound according to the water depth. The remainder of the anchor line is stored in reserve wound around the clip 94 and the cooperating member at the opposite end of the keel.

The clips shown and described are examples of embodiments of the invention. Other shapes and forms of the clips can be used to hold the line. The clips can be attached to the object with rivets or like fasteners. Portions of the clips can be molded into the object or attached with bonding material to the object.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive right or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination:

a floating buoyant object;

an integral longitudinal keel on the undersurface of the object;

an anchor;

an anchor line attached at one end to the buoyant object and at the other end to the anchor;

anchor line storage means on said keel whereby reserve anchor line is stored in longitudinal windings relative to said keel;

line-holding clip means of resilient material attached to the keel;

said clip means having a first leg and a U-shaped portion, said first leg extending from the point of attachment to the U-shaped portion; said U-shaped portion defining an eye of sufficient size to accommodate a portion of the anchor line passing through it;

said clip means having a normally closed biasing contact portion in biasing contact with a portion of said keel, said contact portion when biased to an open position providing a throat for passage of a portion of the anchor line to and from the eye;

a lip extending from said contact portion providing a mouth between the lip and the keel for guiding a portion of the anchor line to the contact portion.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein: said anchor line storage means comprise recessed portions at either end of said keel whereby anchor line is stored in longitudinal windings about the keel accommodated in said recessed portions.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein: said object is a duck decoy.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein: said keel is of the type having a relatively flat bottom surface and an end portion laterally recessed on either side relative to the remainder of the keel, said keel having a first shoulder and a second shoulder on respective sides adjacent the narrowed end portion, and wherein said clip means is attached to the narrowed end portion and further includes: said first leg extends from the point of at tachment and bends around the first shoulder and extends longitudinally and downwardly relative to the keel to said U-shaped portion; said U-shaped portion curves laterally across relative to the bottom surface of the keel to a second leg; said second leg extends from the U-shaped portion toward the second shoulder to said normally closed biasing contact portion; said contact portion is in biasing contact with the second shoulder; a lip extending outward from said contact portion. 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein: said anchor line storage means includes a line holding member disposed on the keel opposite the clip means to cooperate with clip means in accommodating reserve windings of the anchor line.

6. In combination: a floating buoyant object; an integral longitudinal keel on the undersurface of the object; an anchor; an anchor line attached at one end to the buoyant object and at the other end to the anchor; anchor line storage means comprised as recessed portions at either end of said keel whereby anchor line is stored in longitudinal windings about the keel accommodated in said recessed portions; line holding clip means of resilient material attached to the keel; I said clip means having a first leg and a Ushaped portion, said first leg attached closely adjacent the keel in longitudinal relationship and extending from the point of attachment, to the U-shaped portion; said clip means having a normally closed biasing contact portion; said U-shaped portion extending from said first leg and bending outwardly from said keel then inwardly toward said keel to the normally closed biasing contact portion thereby defining an eye of sufficient size to accommodate a portion of the anchor line passing through it; said contact portion in biasing contact with the proximate surface of the keel and when biased to an open position providing a throat for passage of a portion of the anchor line to and from the eye; and a lip extending outward from the biasing contact portion in diverging relationship to the proximate surface of the keel providing a mouth for guiding a portion of the anchor line to the contact portion. 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein: said clip means includes a second leg symmetrical to the first leg attached opposite on the keel relative to the first leg and integrally joining the first leg around the edge of the keel.

8. In combination: a floating buoyant object; an integral longitudinal keel on the undersurface of the object; an anchor; an anchor line attached at one end to the buoyant object and at the other end to the anchor; anchor line storage means comprised as recessed portions at either end of said keel whereby anchor line is stored in longitudinal windings about the keel accommodated in said recessed portions;

line holding clip means of resilient material attached in proximity to an end of the keel;

said clip means having a first leg and a U-shaped portion, said first leg extending from the point of attachment to said keel and bending around said keel and extending to said U-shaped portion; said U- shaped portion defining an eye of sufficient size to when biased to an open position providing a throat for passage of a portion of the anchor line to and.

from the eye; and a lip extending outward from said contact portion providing a mouth for guiding a portion of the anchor line to the contact portion. 

1. In combination: a floating buoyant object; an integral longitudinal keel on the undersurface of the object; an anchor; an anchor line attached at one end to the buoyant object and at the other end to the anchor; anchor line storage means on said keel whereby reserve anchor line is stored in longitudinal windings relative to said keel; line-holding clip means of resilient material attached to the keel; said clip means having a first leg and a U-shaped portion, said first leg extending from the point of attachment to the Ushaped portion; said U-shaped portion defining an eye of sufficient size to accommodate a portion of the anchor line passing through it; said clip means having a normally closed biasing contact portion in biasing contact with a portion of said keel, said contact portion when biased to an open position providing a throat for passage of a portion of the anchor line to and from the eye; a lip extending from said contact portion providing a mouth between the lip and the keel for guiding a portion of the anchor line to the contact portion.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein: said anchor line storage means comprise recessed portions at either end of said keel whereby anchor line is stored in longitudinal windings about the keel accommodated in said recessed portions.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein: said object is a duck decoy.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein: said keel is of the type having a relatively flat bottom surface and an end portion laterally recessed on either side relative to the remainder of the keel, said keel having a first shoulder and a second shoulder on respective sides adjacent the narrowed end portion, and wherein said clip means is attached to the narrowed end portion and further includes: said first leg extends from the point of attachment and bends around the first shoulder and extends longitudinally and downwardly relative to the keel to said U-shaped portion; said U-shaped portion curves laterally across relative to the bottom surface of the keel to a second leg; said second leg extends from the U-shaped portion toward the second shoulder to said normally closed biasing contact portion; said contact portion is in biasing contact with the second shoulder; a lip extending outward from said contact portion.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein: said anchor line storage means includes a line holding member disposed on the keel opposite the clip means to cooperate with clip means in accommodating reserve windings of the anchor line.
 6. In combination: a floating buoyant object; an integral longitudinal keel on the undersurface of the object; an anchor; an anchor line attached at one end to the buoyant object and at the other end to the anchor; anchor line storage means comprised as recessed portions at either end of said keel whereby anchor line is stored in longitudinal windings about the keel accommodated in said recessed portions; line holding clip means of resilient material attached to the keel; said clip means having a first leg and a U-shaped portion, said first leg attached closely adjacent the keel in longitudinal relationship and extending from the point of attachment to the U-shaped portion; said clip means having a normally closed biasing contact portion; said U-shaped portion extending from said first leg and bending outwardly from said keel then inwardly toward said keel to the normally closed biasing contact portion thereby defining an eye of sufficient size to accommodate a portion of the anchor line passing through it; said contact portion in biasing contact with the proximate surface of the keel and when biased to an open position providing a throat for passage of a portion of the anchor line to and from the eye; and a lip extending outward from the biasing contact portion in diverging relationship to the proximate surface of the keel providing a mouth for guiding a portion of the anchor line to the contact portion.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein: said clip means includes a second leg symmetrical to the first leg attached opposite on the keel relative to the first leg and integrally joining the first leg around the edge of the keel.
 8. In combination: a floating buoyant object; an integral longitudinal keel on the undersurface of the object; an anchor; an anchor line attached at one end to the buoyant objeCt and at the other end to the anchor; anchor line storage means comprised as recessed portions at either end of said keel whereby anchor line is stored in longitudinal windings about the keel accommodated in said recessed portions; line holding clip means of resilient material attached in proximity to an end of the keel; said clip means having a first leg and a U-shaped portion, said first leg extending from the point of attachment to said keel and bending around said keel and extending to said U-shaped portion; said U-shaped portion defining an eye of sufficient size to accommodate a portion of the anchor line passing through it; said clip means having a normally closed biasing contact portion; a second leg extending from the U-shaped portion to said normally closed biasing contact portion in biasing contact with the edge of said keel end and when biased to an open position providing a throat for passage of a portion of the anchor line to and from the eye; and a lip extending outward from said contact portion providing a mouth for guiding a portion of the anchor line to the contact portion. 